'S' on Its Chest; Muscular cabriolet seeks drop-top superhero status.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)

Byline: MIKE FLOYD

When Audi introduced its A4 Cabriolet (AW, April 29, 2002), we found it to be quite nice, sort of like a sheetmetal version of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent. It was immediately one of the best four-seat convertibles on the market, we thought, but without the S on its four-ringed chest, well...

Into the phone booth it went, and out came the S4 Cabriolet, a top-down crusader full of derring-do, one that Audi hopes will strike fear into its revved-up, wind-in-the-hair competition.

With the S4 Cab, Audi completes its A-line performance triumvirate, joining the sedan/ wagon with a package that includes V8 power, upgraded suspension and quattro.

Don't look for a flashy cape, however. The design cues are subtle: A bigger front air dam, dual exhausts and Z-rated tires with 18-inch, six-spoke rims are among the minor exterior differences from its A4 sibling. Inside, Silk Nappa leather seats are standard. While not the Recaros you'll find on the S4 sedan/wagon, we found them supportive, comfortable and attractive. We'd still prefer the Recaros, though. Other subtle S touches grace the cabin.

Under its hood lies a 4.2-liter V8 also found in its S4 superfriends. With 340 hp at 7000 rpm and 302 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm on tap, the mill pushes the S4 Cab to a 5.8-second 0-to-60 time and to the quarter-mile in 14 seconds, Audi estimates.

We found no reason to disagree with those numbers during our sun-drenched drive in the deserts around Las Vegas. Nor did we have any issues with the feel of the short-throw six-speed manual. A six-speed auto with Tiptronic is the optional tranny, but Audi didn't have any available to drive. Audi expects a 70/30 manual vs. auto split of the 2100 copies it plans to produce annually.